The crowning of 22-year-old Zanele Moyo as Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2026 is being celebrated as a victory for resilience.
However, beneath the glamour of the title lies a story of a campaign that almost never made it to the capital, crippled by severe financial limitations that threatened to end her journey before it truly began.
According to campaign manager Thabani Ndlovu, the path to the crown was entirely devoid of the traditional infrastructure one might expect. Lacking a budget and a formal blueprint, the campaign was sustained by sheer persistence.
Despite her challenges, Zanele Moyo went on to be crowned Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2026 and is set to represent the country on the global stage at the Miss Tourism International pageant, where she will showcase Zimbabwe’s culture, beauty, and tourism potential.
Speaking on the challenges faced, Thabani Ndlovu, Zanele Moyo's campaign manager, said.
"This victory is not ours alone. It belongs to every person who has stood with us from the start and everyone who joined us during the course of the campaign. We started with nothing—no big budget, no blueprint. Just a young woman with a dream, a small team with big faith, and a city that whispered, 'You can do it.'
"There were days we wondered how we would afford transport to the next rehearsal, and days when 'make a plan' was our only strategy. Family members became drivers, makeup artists, and prayer warriors. Friends became fundraisers; strangers became supporters. Slowly, Bulawayo and Zimbabwe began to believe with us. The road to this crown was paved with sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, and determination."
Ndlovu concluded by extending a plea for sponsorship to support the next stage of the journey on the international stage.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, has commended newly crowned Moyo, for her achievement, while calling for renewed focus on revitalising the city’s tourism and cultural economy.
Speaking at a press conference in Bulawayo on Wednesday to mark Moyo’s homecoming, Coltart highlighted the need for innovation in reviving the city’s industrial base and urged stakeholders to leverage tourism as a key driver of growth.
“We need to think outside the box and identify where the low-hanging fruit is, where we can take advantage to inspire change and growth in our city. This low-hanging fruit can be found in tourism. Think about the rich history of this city, places like Khami Ruins, Mzilikazi and Lobengula.
“Think of what this city has in terms of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe and the Bulawayo Railway Museum. These are places that we should be using to promote our city and its environment,” said Coltart.
Moyo remarked that she now carries the hopes and the story of a nation.
"Standing before you as Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, I carry the story of a nation, but I do not stand here alone. I am here because of a team that believes in the Zimbabwe brand. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who has stood with us since the beginning of this journey," said Moyo.